Breathing apparatus for swimmers



Jan. 19, 1965 Filed Dec. 12, 1962 B. B. GIRDEN 3,166,083

BREATHING APPARATUS FOR SWIMMERS 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR BARNEY B.GIRDEN BY ATTORNEY B. B- GIRDEN BREATHING APPARATUS FOR SWIMMERS Jan. 11965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 12, 1962 INVENTOR BARNEY B. GIRDEN $4ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,166,083 EREATEENG AliARATUS FQR SWFMMERSBarney B. Girden, 32 W. 76th St, New York, NE. Filed Dec. 12, 1962, Ser.No. 244,129 5 Ciaims (Cl. 137-63) This invention relates generally tobreathing apparatus for swimmers, and more particularly is directed toapparatus of the described character that permits the user to breatheair from above the surface of the water when at least the users face issubmerged.

Breathing apparatus for swimmers has been proposed and generally takesthe form of a hollow pipe or pipes opening at one end into a mouthpieceor into a close fitting mask that engages over the nose and eyes or theentire face of the swimmer, with the pipe or pipes being arranged sothat the end or ends thereof remote from the mouthpiece or mask willproject above the surface of the water when the swimmers face issubmerged to permit thesupplying of air to the swimmer to the pipe orpipes. Such apparatus makes it possible for the swimmer to remain on thesurface with his head submerged continuously for improved observation ofunderwater activity and, in order to make it possible for the swimmer todive to a depth where the upper end of the pipe or pipes is submerged,the above-described apparatus has been previously improved by theaddition of a float controlled check valve at the upper end of each pipethat closes automatically, when the upper end is submerged, and therebyprevents the entry of water into the pipe. In the existing breathingapparatus for swimmers, each snorkel tube, that is, the hollow pipeextending from the mouthpiece or mask and having a float controlledvalve at the end remote from the mouthpiece or mask, is in fixedposition relative to the latter so that the snorkel tube extendsupwardly from the mouthpiece or mask when the swimmers head is disposedfor comfortable downward viewing of underwater activity. However, if aswimmer wearing a breathing apparatusof the described character floatson his back on or near the surface of the water, for example, as whenresting or floating in the water, the valved end of the snorkel tube infixed relation to the mouthpiece or mask is submerged and the swimmercannot breathe fresh air through the snorkel tube.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a breathingapparatus for swimmers with a snorkel tube extending from a mask andhaving at least a portion of the snorkel tube movable relative to themask so as to be capable of extending upwardly from the mask when theswimmer is floating on his back, as well as when the swimmer is prone inthe water and faces downwardly for convenient underwater viewing,whereby the swimmer can breathe fresh air through the snorkel tube inboth positions of use.

When a swimmer wearing a breathing apparatus of the described characterdives below the surface of the water to a depth suiiicient to causesubmerging of the entire snorkel tube, thereby to cause closing of thevalve at the end of such tube, the increasing water pressure acting onthe face mask tends to cause pressing of the latter against the face ofthe user, which phenomenon is generally referred to as squeeze. In orderto overcome this uncomfortable and often dangerous condition,particularly, in relatively deep dives, it is necessary for the swimmerto breathe out into the mask for increasing the pressure within thelatter to a value approximately equal to thewater pressure actingexternally on the mask. However, since the mask is normally disposed ata depth greater than that of the upper or valved end of the snorkeltube, the equalized pressure within the mask, and hence the pressureacting through the snorkeltube at the inner surface of the floatcontrolled check valve, will be greater than. the water 3,16%,fl3Patented Jan. 19, 1965 pressure acting at the exterior side of thevalve. 'Where the float controlled check valve is in the form of abuoyant ball check valve, or in the form of a float controlled flapvalve, the difference in the pressures acting at the inner and outersurfaces of the valve may be suflicient toopen the latter and therebypermit the'escape of air so that the desired balancing of pressurescannot be obtained. In order to avoid the foregoing, I have disclosed inUnited States Letters Patent No. 2,888,010, issued May 26, 1959, a floatcontrolled valve for breathing apparatus ofthe described character,which valve is balanced, that is, is

insensitive to any difference in the pressures acting on the oppositesides thereof, so that, duringa dive when the swimmer exhales air intothe mask to increase the pressure within the latter, and upon surfacing,when the pressure within the mask may be low in relation to atmosphericpressure, any diiferences inthe pressures acting upon the opposite sidesof the valve will not affect the float controlled operation thereof.

Although the above mentioned float controlled balanced valveavoids'opening thereof as a result of a difference between the pressuresacting on the opposite sides of the valve when the latter issubmerged,'and further avoids the retention of the valve in its closedcondition by reason of the. existence of a relatively low pressurewithin the mask upon reemergence of the valve into the atmosphere, thedescribed float controlled balance valve is still susceptible to theopening thereof while submerged in the event that the swimmer turnsupside down, in which case the buoyancy of the float controlling thevalve will act in the direction for opening the latter, rather than inthe normal direction for ensuring closing of the valve. When a swimmerwearing a breathing apparatus of the described character is engaged inunderwater exploration or spear fishing, concentration of the swimmer onsuch activities may cause the swimmer to forget that a normal swimmingposition must be maintained in order to ensure the continued closing ofthe float controlled valve of the snorkel tube, and drownings or otherserious accidents have frequently occurred by reason of such lapses.

Accordingly, it is a further object of this invention to provide abalanced valve for the snorkel tube or tubes of breathing apparatus forswimmers, which valve is positively retained in its closed conditionwhenever the valved end of the snorkel tubbe is submerged, withoutregard to the position or orientation of the swimmer in the water or theexistence of a difierence between the pressures acting at the inner andouter sides of the valve, and which further ensures the opening of thevalve when the latter is exposed to the atmosphere, even though areducedpressure may then exist within the mask to which the snorkel tube isattached. p

In accordance with an aspect of this invention, breathing apparatus forswimmers is provided with at least one snorkel tube terminating in avalve housing having a valve member mounted thereon for rocking on anaxis about which the valve member is symmetrical so that even differentpressures acting against the opposite sides of the valve member willproduce balanced turning moments, a control arm extending from the valvemember and carying a permanent magnet spaced from the rocking axis ofthe valve member and adapted, to cooperate with a permanent magnetsecured onthe valve housing, for retaining the valve member in itsclosed position, and a valve control body suspended from the control armand being of a weight suflicient to readily overcome theattractionibetween the permanent magnets carried by the control arm andvalve housing for moving the valve member to its open position wheneverthe valve control body is removed from the water and exposed to theatmosphere, the

valve control body further having only substantially neutral buoyancy inwater so that, when the valve control body is submerged in water withthe breathingapparatus in its normal position of use, the neutralbuoyancy of the ,control body will permit the permanent magnets to movethe valve member to its closed position, but such neutral.

buoyancy of the valve control body will not influence the effectivenessof the permanent magnets in retaining the valve member in its closedposition in the event that the swimmer turns over and hence inverts thebreathing apparatus while fully submerged.

In previously existing balanced valvesfor breating ap-- paratus .of thedescribedcharacter, the valvermember'has been provided with an axle ortrunnions projecting therefrom and being turnably received indiametrically opposed holes'formed in the wall of the valve housing sothat a problem existed in obtaining a fluid-tight seal around thetrunnions or axle ends in such holes. Accordingly, it is a The above,and other objects, features and advantages of the invention, will beapparentin the following detailed description of illustrativeembodiments thereof which is to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is aside elevational view of a breathing appa- 7 the face maskfor detachab ratus for swimmers embodying this invention, and shown inone position of use thereof; a

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, but shown in anotherposition of use thereof; a

- FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectionalview taken along the line33 on FIG. 1, and illustrating a constructional detail of thebreathingapparatus;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line4-4on FIG. 1, and illustrating other constructional details of thebreathing apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a breathing apparatus for swimmersconstructed in accordance with another embodiment of this invention; 7

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of a valve arrangement orassembly embodying this invention for use in the breathing apparatus ofFIGS. 1 and 2 or-FIG.-5 and which is shown in its open condition;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view'of the valve assembly of FIG. 6, butshown in its closed condition; 7 FIG. 8 is a detail sectional view takenalong the line 8-8 on FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is'a detail sectional view taken along the line 99 on FIG. 6;

FIG; 10 is an elevational view of a valve seat member forming a part ofthe valve'assembly of FIGS. 6 and 7; FIG. 11 is an elevational view,partly broken away, of a valve member and its associated controlelements included in the valve assembly of FIGS. 6 and 7; and FIG. 12 isa detail end or edge elevational view of the valve member of FIG. 11. la a 7 Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIGS. 1 and2 thereof, breathing apparatus for swimmers constructed in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention is there illustrated and generallyidentified by the reference numeral 1! The apparatus 10 includes a facemask 11 of conventional form shown to be of the type which covers theeyes and nose of the swimmer, but which may beef-the type covering themouth as well asthe eyes, and nose. The face mask -11 includes a body 12preferably made of a natural or synthetic rubber or other elastromericmaterial to enable theiclose fitting thereof 'to the face and head ofthe wearer, and having a front aperture with the margin thereof being inthe form of a frame 13 in water-tight sealing relationship to atransparentface plate (not shown which extends across the aperture. Ad

justable straps 14 extend from the sides of the body 12 of 4 ly securingthe latter on the wearers head.

A tubular extension 15 projects from the body 12 of face mask 11 and, inthe embodiment of the invention snorkel tube 16 extending into tubularextension 15 may be formed with an'external bead or rim 17 which taperstoward the end edge of'thejsnorkel tube and which is turnably receivedin a correspondingly contoured internal groove 18 formed in the innersruface of extension 15 so that the engagement of bead 17 in groove 18'prevents axial removal of the snorkel tube 16 from extension 15.Further, the inner surface of extension 15 may be provided with a groove19 adjacent the end of the tubular extension to receive a sealing ring20 which effects sealing engagement with the outer surface of snorkeltube 16, thereby to prevent seepage'of water into extension'15 past thesnorkel tube, and hence into the interior of face mask 11, and furtherto hold the snorkel tube'16 against inadvertent turning within thetubular extension 15.

As shown on FIGS. 1 and 2, the snorkel tube 16 is longitudinallybentadjacent the end portion thereof received in tubular extension 15 sothat the major portion of the length of the snorkel tube extends at asubstantial. angle which, in the embodiment of the invention illus-,traded on FIGS. 1 and 2 is approximately 45 degrees, with issubmerged'in water.v The illustrated breathing apparatus is further ofthe type in which the rebreathing of,

residual air, that is, exhalation contained in the face mask 11, isdiscouraged. Thus, it is intended that the swimmer will inhale onlythrough his nose, thereby to draw in air entering the interior of facemask 11 through snorkel tube 16, and that the user will exhale throughhis mouth 7 into a mouthpiece 22 which communicates with an exhaust tube2.5 (FIG. 4). Since the illustrated face mask 11 is of the type coveringonly the eyes and nose of the wearer, the exhaust tube .23 andmouthpiece 22 are mountedbelow the body .12 of the face mask, but it isto be understood that, in the case of a face mask covering the mouth, asWell as the eyes and nose of the wearer, the mouthpiece will be disposedwithin the face mask and communicate with an exhaust tube extending fromthe the latter only in the As shown particularly on FIG. 4, theexhausttube 23 preferably has an opening 24' communicating with theinterior of face mask 11 at the bottom of the latter, and

a diaphragm check valve 25 is. positioned inthe opening 24 and opensonly outwardly from the interior of the face mask, that is, inthedirection from the latter into theexhaust tube 23, to pass seepagewater or other fluids which accumulate within the mask into the tube 23for exhaust from the latter. The valve .25 may consist of an elasticdisk secured, at its center, by a rivet 26 to a per forated valve seat27 which is secured, at its periphery, within opening 24. The exhausttube 23, at the exterior of the face mask 11, opens into a valve housing28 containing a diaphragm check valve 29 which opens only out.- wardlyfrom the interior of exhaust tube 23 and which also consists of anelastic disk secured by means of a central rivet 30 to a perforatedvalve seat 31 fixed, at its periphery, in valve housing 28.

When using the breathing apparatus described above, the face mask 11 isdonned in conventional fashion, with the mouthpiece 22 being positionedin the wearers mouth. As the user swims or floats on the surface of thewater, or just below it, so that the valve assembly 21 is disposed abovethe surface of the water, as indicated at L on FIGS. 1 and 2, and thusmaintains communication between the atmosphere and the snorkel tube 16,the user inhales through his nose or mouth, thus drawing fresh air intothe mask 11 through the snorkel tube. The user exhales through his mouthonly and such exhalation is directly evacuated into the water throughthe mouthpiece 22, exhaust tube 23 and check valve 29. Since the usersbreath is not evacuated into the face mask 11, no moisture from thebreath can condense upon the. inside surface of the transparent faceplate of the mask or upon the surfaces of eyeglasses vwhich the user maybe wearing. If seepage water, spittle or other liquids collect in themask, they drain through check valve 25 into exhaust tube 23 and areexhausted from the latter merely by exhaling through valve 29. When theswimmer dives, valve assembly 21 automatically closes, as hereinafterdescribed in detail, thereby to prevent the entry of water into facemask 11 through snorkel tube 16.

In previously existing breathing apparatus for swimmers, the snorkeltube has been fixedly positioned with a respect to the face mask so asto extend upwardly from the latter when the user is in a normal swimmingposition, that is, facing downwardly in the water. However, if theswimmer floats on his backat or just below the surface of the water, sothat the swimmers face is directed upwardly, the snorkel tube extendingfixedly from the face mask will have its end remote from the face masksubmerged in the water and thereby prevent the breathing of fresh airthrough the snorkel tube. Thus, with the previously existing breathingapparatus, the user could not float restfully on his back. However, theabove described breathing apparatus 10 permits the user to turn thesnorkel tube 16 relative to the tubular extension 15 of the face maskbody through approximately 180 de grees between the position illustratedon FIG. 1, in which the main portion of the length of the snorkel tubeextends upwardly from the face mask when the user is in a normalswimming position, that is, with the face directed downwardly forconvenient underwater viewing, and the position illustrated on FIG. 2,where the main portion of the length of the snorkel tube 16 is directedupwardly from the face mask when the user is floating on his back withhis face directed upwardly, for example, as when resting after anexhausting .dive.

It will be seen that the main portion of the length of the snorkel tube16 of breathing apparatus 10 has its longitudinal axis directedrearwardly at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to theplane of the transparent face plate of face mask 11 in the positionofFIG. 1, and that the longitudinal axis of the main portion of the lengthof tube 16 is directed forwardly at an angle of approximately 45 degreeswith respect to the plane of the transparent face plate in the positionillustrated on FIG. 2. Where the snorkel tube extends from the top ofthe face-mask, as in FIGS. 1 and 2, the change between these twopositions is achieved by longitudinally bending the snorkel tube throughan angle of approximately 45 degrees by turning the snorkel tube through180 degrees, as described above. However, as shown on FIG. 5, abreathing apparatus 19a embodying this invention may be provided with asnorkel tube 16a which extends turnably from a tubular extension 15adirected laterally from one side of the body 12:: of the face mask 11a.When the snorkel tube extends from the side of the face mask, as in thebreathing apparatus 1011, the major portion of tube which is rotatablein the laterally directed tubular extension 15a. Thus, the snorkel tube16a is turned through an angle a of approximately 90 degrees between aposition shown in full lines on FIG. 5, where the major portion of thelength of tube 16a is directed rearwardly at an angle of approximately45 degrees with respect to the plane of the transparent face plate heldwithin the frame 136; so as to extend upwardly from the face mask 11awhen the user is in a normal swimming position, and V in the embodimentof FIGS. 1 and 2, the major portion of the length. of the snorkel tubeis displaced through an angle of approximately 90 degrees in movingbetween the two normal positions of use.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, it will be seen that the valve assembly21 of swimmingapparatus 10, as well as the valve assembly 21a of theswimming apparatus Illa, includes a hollow housing 32 which may becylindrical, as shown, and has a tubular coupling member 33 extendingfrom the side wall thereof and dimensioned to telescope onto the upperend of the snorkel tube 16 and to be secured to the latter, as byadhesive. A wall 34 closes one end of housing 32 and tubular couplingmember 33 preferably has its axis inclined away from end wall 34 sothat, when tubular coupling member 33 is secured on upwardly extendingsnorkel tube 16, the opening 35 (FIG. 9) at the end of housing 32 remotefrom wall 34 will be directed more or less downwardly to avoid thesplashing of water into snorkel tube 16 through the open end of thevalve housing.

In accordance with the present invention, the valve assembly 21 furtherincludes a balanced valve member 36 which, as shown particularly onFIGS. 11 and 12, as in the form of a rigid circular disk divideddiametrically into two semi-circular portions 37 and 38 whicharedisposedin parallel, ofiset planes. Diametrically opposed ears orprojections 39 extend from portion 38 of valve member 36 immediatelyadjacent the diametrical division between portions 38 and 37 so that theareas of the portions 37 and 38-at opposite sides of an axis extendingthrough the ears 39 are substantially equal.

The diameter of valve member 36 is slightly smaller.

than the interior diameter of valve housing 32, and the valve member isintended to be engaged with a valve seat ring 40 (FIG. 10) which may beformed of thin metal and which is secured'totheopen end of valve housing32 following engagement of valve member 36 with ring 40 the length ofthe snorkel tube 16a is directed substantially at right angles to theend portion of the snorkel in the manner hereinafter described indetail. The valve seat ring 40 has an inner diameter which is slightlysmaller than the diameter of valve member 36 and, at diametricallyopposed locations, is formed with inwardly directed noses 41 each havingan inwardly opening slot 42. In assembling the valve member 36 with theseat ring 40, the valve member is initially disposed substantially atright angles to the plane of ring 40 and theportion 38 is inserted inring 49 until ears 39 pass through'slots 42. Then valve-member 36 isturned until portion 38 thereof underlies the inner peripheral portionof one-half of ring 43 while portion 37 of the valve member overlies theinner peripheral portion of the opposite half of ring 40, as shown onFIGS. 7 and 8. During such swinging movement of valve member 36 relativeto ring 40, the ears 39 of the valve member move away from slots 42 andunderlie the noses 41 at one side of the slots. Thus, after the valvemember 36 and ring 40 have been assembled together, they can beseparated only by swinging of the valve member to a position at rightangles to the plane of the valve member can be Withdrawn through theslots.

After-assembling of valve member 36 andQseat ring 46, the latter issecured to the end edge of valve housing 32 around the opening 35-thereof,as.by-adhesiveor the like, as shown on FIGS. 6, 7 and 8;Further, the end edge surface of housing 32 around opening 35 ispreferably provided with diametrically opposed, inwardly openingrecesses-43 (FIGS. 7, 8 and 9) to receive the ears 39 of valve member 36assembled togetherwith the seat ring 40. The engagement of ears 39 inrecesses 43 obviously prevents the passage of valve member portion 37through slots 42 .into the interior of housing 32 even when the valvemember 36 is 'disposed at'a substantial angle relative to the plane ofseat ring 46. Further, as shown on FIGS. 6, 7 and 11, a control arm 44is secured, as by adhesive or other suitable means, to the outer surfaceof portion 37 ofathe valve'member-and extends substantially at rightangles to therocking axis of valve member 36 which corresponds to thediametrical line of division between the portions 37 and 38 of the valvemember. The arm 44 has an angled projection-45 extending over theportion 38 of the valve member and being disposed at a substantial anglewith respect to the plane of the latter.- The extension 45 of arm 44 isintended to engage seat r 8 of water through valve housing 32 andsnorkel tube 16 into the face mask 11. Asthe swimmer descends in adive,-he may breathe air into the face mask 11 in order toequalize thepressure within the latter with the increased external water pressure,thereby to avoid collapse oi ffsqueeze of the mask upon his face andeyes; This may be done without fear that the valve member 36 will open,as suchvalve memberis a balanced valve, that is, it is pivoted or'rockably mounted so that the areas of the valve member bisected .by itsrocking axis are equal so that the position of the valve'member is notaffected by any difierence in' the pressures acting at the inner andouter sidesor surfaces ofi the valve member. Similarly, when the swimmerreturns to the surface, a partial vacu: um produced within'the face maskby inhalation of some of the air therein willnot. affect. the return ofthe valve member saw its open position upon the removal of the valvecontrol body/ 49 from the'waterj It is also to be. noted that the. useof a'rockably mounted, balanced valve member 36 and the mounting of the7, Permanent magnet 46 on an arm 44 extending beyond member 36 to theposition at right angles to the plane of ring 46 at which ears 39 of thevalve member can pass through slots 42 and thereby permit disassemblyof'the valve member from the seat ring. V

The control arm .44Vextends substantially beyond the periphery of valvemember and has fixedly secured thereto a permanent magnet 46 whichisattracted by .a .permanent magnet 47 mounted in a projection-48 on valvehousing 32. The magnets 46 and 47 are. preferably bar magnets which areoppositely disposed so that the north and south poles of magnet 46co'nfront'the southand north poles, respectively, of magnet 47, therebyto provide a strong force of magnetic attraction tending to move mag-,net 46 against magnet 47 for closing valve member 36, as in FIG. 7.Since'magnet 46 is carried by arm 44, the

line of action of the magnetic force of attraction *is'dis posed asubstantial. distance from the rocking axis of valve member36 andthereby provides a very considerable .turning moment-for urging thevalve member to its closed position; 7 V

The valve assembly 21 is completed by a valve control body 49. (FIGS. 6,7 and 11) suspended from the end of control arm 44. The valve controlbody .49 may be of cylindrical form, as shown, and, in accordance withthe present invention,.is of substantial weight so as 'to ex- ,ert aturning moment on valve member 36 in the clockwise direction, as viewedon FIG. 6, which is effective to overcome the oppositely directedturning moment resulting from the force of magnetic attraction betweenmagnets'46 and 47, thereby to move valve member 36 to its open. positionillustrated on FIG. 6 so' lon'gas the valve control body 49 is out ofthe water. However, in accordance with this inventiomthe valve controlbody '49 has a neutral buoyancy or, at most, a very slight positivebuoyancy, so that, when the valve control body is submerged in Water,the magnetic force of attraction between magnets 46 and 47 is eiiectiveto turn valve member .36 in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed onFIGS. 6 and 7, thereby to move valve member 36 to its closedlposition.(FIG. 7). The term neutral buoyancy as used herein with respectto thebody 49 means that the weight of the latter is substantially equal.tothe weight of the volume of water displaced by body 49 when thelatter is. fully submerged.

.When the swimmer dives. so that the valve controlbody 49 is submerged,the magnets 46 and 47 move valve member. 36 to'its closed positionandthereby prevent the entry the valve member makes it possible to attain aturning momentrf-rom amagnetic force of attraction which is sufficientto ensure the secure closing of the valve member so long as the valvecontrol body 49 .is submerged. The combined use of the balanced:rockably mounted valve member 36, .the magnets 46 and 47 :formaintaining the valve member in its closed position and the valvecontrol body 49 having only a neutral buoyancy, or at most a very slightpositive buoyancy, when submerged, makes it possible to ensure that.valve member 36 will remain in its, closed position to prevent theentry of water. into the snorkel tube 16during adive irrespective of thepositionrof the swimmer. This ,is to'be distinguished from the situationwith previously proposed breathing apparatus for swimmers Wherein'thevalve is controlled .by a float having very substantial buoyancy to urgethe valve to its closed position so long as the swimmer is. in a normalswimming position during a dive; However, if the swimmerturns on hisback during a dive, and thereby inverts the valve assembly, the buoyantfloat'of the previously existing valve assemblies will move the valvemember to its open position, notwithstanding the fact that the valve issubmerged, and thereby permit the free flow of water into the face maskwith obvious serious hazard to the swimmen.

Since the valve member 36 is'balanced about its rocking axis and thevalve control body 49 is suspended from the free, end of the control arm44 at a greater distance '.tively.avoids all of the dangerous conditionsthat have previously been associated with the use of breathing apparatusof the described character, particularly when employed by relativelyinexperienced users, I 7

Although illustrative embodiments of this invention :have been describedin detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is tobe-noted that the inven- Ition is not limited to those preciseembodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effectedtherein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope orspirit of the invention, except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

-1. A valve assembly for controlling the admission of air to a snorkelbreathing tube, said assembly comprising 'means defining a valve housingwith a valve seat thereon,

erative magnet means fixed to said housing and movable.

with said valve member, respectively, for urging said valve member torock to said closed position thereof, and a valve control body connectedto said valve member and being of substantial weight to overcome saidmagnet means and rock said valve member to said open position uponremoval of said body from water, said valve control body havingsubstantially neutral buoyancy in water to permit movement of said valvemember to said closed position by said magnet means upon submerging ofsaid body in water without regard to the orientation of the valveassembly in the water.

2. A valve assembly for controlling the admission of air to a snorkelbreathing tube, said assembly comprising means defining a valve housingwith a valve seat thereon, a valve member rockable on an axis aboutwhich said valve member is symmetrical so as to be movable between aclosed position against said seat and an open position while beinginsensitive to different pressures acting against the opposite sides ofthe valve member, 21 control arm extending from said valve member at asubstantial angle with respect to said axis, cooperative magnetic meanson said valve housing and on said arm, respectively, at locations spacedsubstantially from said axis for urging said valve member to rock tosaid closed position, and a valve control body secured to saidam andbeing of substantial weight to overcome said magnetic means and rocksaid valve member to said open position upon removal of said body fromwater, said valve control body having substantially neutral buoyancy inwater to permit movement of said valve member to said closed position bysaid magnetic means upon submerging of said body in water without regardto the orientation of the valve assembly in the Water.

3. A valve assembly as in claim 2;

1 wherein said valve member is in the form of a circular disk divideddiametrically into 'two half-portions lying in offset planes, one ofsaid half-portions having peripheral projections adjacent the oppositeends of the diametrical division between said halfportions; and whereinsaid valve housing is cylindrical with an opening at one end, and saidvalve seat is in the form of a seat ring secured against said one end.of the housing around said opening and. having diametrically opposed,radially inward openingslots through which said one half-portion of thedisk and said projections can pass from the outer side to the inner sideof said seat ringwhereupon said diametrical division of the disk definesthe rocking axis of the valve member.

4. A valve assembly as in claim 3;

wherein said valve housing has diametrically opposed, inwardly openingrecesses in said one end receiving said peripheral projections of thedisk to hold said projections against the inside of said seat ring.

5. A valve assembly as in claim 4; V

wherein said control arm has an extension at an angle to said onehalf-portion of the disk and engageable with said seat ring to limit therocking of said valve member to saidopen position thereof.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,362,775 Sebouh Nov; 14, 1944' 2,408,166 Hawkins Sept. 24, 19462,493,297 Landon Jan. 3, 1950 2,742,899 Warner et al. Apr. 24, 19562,814,292 Girden Nov. 26, 1957 2,815,751 Ferrando Dec. 10, 1957 FOREIGNPATENTS 905,890 France Apr. 30, 1945 472,977 Italy July 9, 1952

1. A VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR CONTROLLING THE ADMISSION OF AIR TO A SNORKELBREATHING TUBE, SAID ASSEMBLY COMPRISING MEANS DEFINING A VALVE HOUSINGWITH A VALVE SEAT THEREON, A VALVE MEMBER ROCKABLE ON AN AXIS ABOUTWHICH SAID VALVE MEMBER IS SYMMETRICAL SO AS TO BE MOVABLE BETWEEN ACLOSED POSITION AGAINST SAID SEAT AND AN OPEN OSITION WHILE BEINGINSENSITIVE TO DIFFERENT PRESSURES ACTING AGAINST THE OPPOSITE SIDES OFTHE VALVE MEMBER, COOPERATIVE MAGNET MEANS FIXED TO SAID HOUSING ANDMOVABLE WITH SAID VALVE MEMBER, RESPECTIVELY, FOR URGING SAID VALVEMEMBER TO ROCK TO SAID CLOSED POSITION THEREOF, AND A VALVE CONTROL BODYCONNECTED TO SAID VALVE MEMBER AND BEING OF SUBSTANTIAL WEIGHT TOOVERCOME SAID MAGNET MEANS AND ROCK SAID VALVE MEMBER TO SAID OPEN